Big library goes up, while smaller ones suffer

Some question push to build new downtown library during budget crunch

“It can’t come out of the general fund,” he said. “That’s a good thing.”

In the budget he released last week, Sanders proposed eliminating 77 library jobs and reducing weekly hours from 36 to 18.5 at all branch libraries, a move that would leave each open two days a week and alternating Saturdays. Staff would be paired at nearby libraries to make the plan work.

Mike Zucchet, head of the city’s white-collar union, said city leaders should be more honest with taxpayers who are partially footing the bill for the new library as existing branches are set to be closed most days.

“We’re telling the public that we’re pairing libraries. The libraries were lonely. They needed a partner. We’re pairing them. Maybe next year if we have more budget cuts, we’ll have threesomes at libraries,” he said. “It’s all ridiculous. We’re closing libraries.”

The new library will be twice the size of the existing central library on E Street that was built in 1954. The top two levels of the building will house a 400-student charter school. The library is expected to open in 2013.